Steelers Quick To Assign Butler To DC, But Too Quick?
The Steelers signed linebackers coach Keith Butler to a three year contract as their new defensive coordinator.
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It’s taken years in waiting, but perhaps for Butler and the Steelers good things (perhaps great things) come for those who wait. After all, Butler has been the heir apparent since at least 2011.
The Steelers are famous around the sports world for their championships and their tradition of defense. They are also known as being one of the classiest organizations, at the very least in the NFL. That reputation has taken a few hits over the years. From a coaching standpoint the most noticeable offense occurred when Bruce Arians “retired.” Turns out the Steelers really handed him a pink slip and botched it from all levels in the PR department.
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The resignation of Dick LeBeau has been handled with great care, and Steeler Nation may never know what was really discussed behind the closed door of Mike Tomlin’s office. All we know is that earlier in the season all signs pointed to DLB coming back from both parties, and now they’ve parted ways.
Butler met with Tomlin on Monday, and the meeting must have gone very well. We won’t know what this defense will look like until we are told. The defense from a personnel standpoint is still a bit messy to really read into what the base defense will be next season. The draft could tell us a bit, but the needs are so many whether they stick with a 3-4 or change to a 4-3.
Butler as a DC makes sense, and the Steelers have been “promising” him this role for a long time. Makes even more sense then to own up to that and sign him.
But, did it happen too quickly?
I only ask because the coaching changes around the league continue to take place as head coaches are fired, new ones hired, and coordinator changes take place.
Take the Buffalo Bills for example. Rex Ryan was hired as the Bills new head coach this past weekend. Now either Sexy Rexy didn’t want Schwartz as his defensive coordinator for philosophical reasons or he wants to coach the defense himself. Either way, Schwartz is out of a job as of Tuesday morning.
Can you imagine what a Jim Schwartz defense would have looked like in Pittsburgh?
The Bills had a very good defense last season under Schwartz. They were in the Top 5 in points allowed (4th), yards per game (4th), and passing yards (3rd). They ranked 11th in rushing yards. 54 sacks and 19 interceptions. That’s a league leading 54 sacks and another Top 10 in interceptions. That is almost doubling up in both categories what the Steelers achieved last season.
More importantly, Schwartz did it with a middle of the road talent pool. No superstars. Just a good core group of players that he was able to utilize with their talents. Think he couldn’t do the same in Pittsburgh and quickly? Think again.
Don’t get me wrong. I think Butler will do some good things with this defense. The move is a good one. I just think the Steelers could have waited a little bit longer to see who was out there that could challenge Butler for the job. Sure seemed like there were options out there.